How to Make Your Thanksgiving Celebration Go Green: 15 Eco Tips
Thanksgiving, a day of gratitude and togetherness, often creates a lot of waste. For sustainable living enthusiasts, this annual holiday presents a golden opportunity to introduce eco-friendly practices into our traditions.
This blog will guide you through practical ways to celebrate Thanksgiving sustainably, making it a greener occasion that aligns with your eco-conscious values.
15 Ideas for a More Sustainable Thanksgiving Celebration
Here are some thoughtful tips to making Thanksgiving a bit more green!
Plan a Sustainable Menu
Creating a sustainable Thanksgiving begins in the kitchen. Start by designing a menu that emphasizes local and organic ingredients.
Consider what foods are in season and what is available from your local farmers market. I love going to the farmers market for fresh ingredients.
If you’re able to support local farms when shopping for ingredients, this is great!
Try to purchase organic when possible. I buy a lot of organic pantry goods from Thrive Market to minimize what I have to buy at the grocery store.
Choose organic, responsibly sourced, or regenerative meats. If you’re unable to find these locally consider ordering meat from Crowd Cow, Force of Nature, or Thrive Market.
Choose recipes that use similar ingredients. This can be especially helpful with herbs and produce. This helps you use everything you buy and reduce food waste.
Use a portion calculator to help prevent overcooking.
Don’t forget vegan or vegetarian options.
Choosing Reusable Dinnerware and Cutlery
One of the most impactful ways to reduce waste is by choosing reusable dinnerware and cutlery. Opt for your traditional dining set instead of disposable plates, forks, and knives.
If additional place settings are needed, borrow from friends or use rental services that offer sustainable options.
This is a great way to get creative and dream up a seasonal table design. Consider using natural elements like acorns, pumpkins, or branches to spruce up the table. Cloth napkins and table cloths add an elegant touch.
If reusable items are not possible, look for compostable alternatives. Some companies offer disposable dinnerware made from bamboo. These items break down quickly and are a step closer to achieving a zero-waste Thanksgiving.
Avoid wasting food
Since this tends to be a food centered holiday, it’s incredibly important to reduce our food waste.
Ask your guest to bring reusable containers, so you can send home uneaten food. This helps prevent food from enduing up in the landfill. Plus, who doesn’t love Thanksgiving left overs the next day?
Consider donating your leftovers to a local shelter if you’re not going to eat it.
Consider composting food scraps. When people are done eating invite them to use the compost bin to dispose of food scarps. This can be a great way to educate your guest on the importance of composting. Be sure they know what can and cannot go in the compost.
Making Eco-Friendly Decorations
Thanksgiving decorations add ambiance to your celebration but often end up in landfills. Instead, explore eco-friendly decoration options that utilize materials you already have at home. This gives you the opportunity to get crafty!
Natural elements like pinecones, leaves, and seasonal fruits can create beautiful, biodegradable centerpieces.
Consider DIY crafts that use recycled materials. Use old fabric to create table runners or repurpose glass jars as candle holders.
The personal touches of handcrafted decor items will not only leave an impression on your guests but also uphold your sustainable values.
Opting for Sustainable Food storage
When preparing Thanksgiving dishes or storing leftovers, opt for sustainable packaging. Switch to beeswax wraps, reusable silicone bags, or glass containers instead of single-use plastic wrap.
These eco-friendly alternatives can be washed and utilized for years to come.
If you’re going to someone’s house you can extend your sustainable packaging practices to the transport of food. When grocery shopping, bring reusable bags, and opt for products with minimal or recyclable packaging. These small changes can cumulatively make a big impact.
Minimizing Single-Use Items
Avoid plastic straws, stirrers, and cups by providing washable glassware and mugs. If straws are necessary, consider paper or reusable metal options. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also lends a sophisticated touch to your gathering.
Thanksgiving stands as a seasonal reminder of gratitude and abundance. By weaving sustainability into the fabric of your celebrations, you create a thoughtful narrative of appreciating the planet by doing what we can.
This waste reduction not only lies with the individual—instead, it becomes a collective action shared among family, friends, and communities. By championing these practices during Thanksgiving, you contribute to a greener, healthier planet.
MORE SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAY GUIDES:
MEET THE AUTHOR
Emily Waddell is the founder of The Honest Consumer. She has always been passionate about business for good and has a Bachelor degree in Social Entrepreneurship. She currently lives in Seattle where she practices imperfect sustainability. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys supporting small businesses, clean eating, ethical fashion, & practicing slow living. Learn more about Emily’s journey starting The Honest Consumer.
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